The perfect pitch with Leila Stark

This talented singer forms part of the UJ Choir which celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Leila Stark is a member of the UJ choir.

When one is gifted with voice best heard serenading others, it’s best to showcase this talent as a way to entertain and inspire. For Leila Stark, one the best ways to celebrate her talents was to join the University of Johannesburg Choir (UJ Choir).

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, on September 13 and 14, UJ Choir will host a celebration concert at the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, UJ Arts Centre. Being part of this major milestone is just the sort of crescendo Stark is honoured to sing in.

She has been in the choir for the past two years, and sings as part of the second sopranos after having discovered the choir in 2022, falling in love with not only their sound, but the atmosphere the students create. The choir has always been a big part of her life, appreciating the way it brings people together. “It is also great to have a way to take a break from academics during the week and clear my head.”

Her love for music stems from being raised in a community that loved the art form. She believes music to be a great outlet to help people cope with the struggles they face daily. As she sees it, there is a genre for every mood felt, be it happy or sad – music is there to set the tone. Music has enriched her life in so many ways. “Some of my favourite memories come from making music with other people. I think that making or listening to music helps me to relax and clear my head, it also helps me discover my creative side.”

Leila Stark sings second soprano in the UJ Choir.

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For Stark, there hasn’t just been one song she has enjoyed to perform with the choral group. She cited having enjoyed to sing all the music from their African repertoire with her favourite being Botho, from their album, Echoes of Heritage. Another of her favourites to perform is Niel van der Watt’s Vredemakers, where the choir sings Matthew 5:9 in four different languages.

Outside of completely enjoying her own choir’s previous albums, as a former member of Hoërskool Lindenkoor, she loves listening to this choir as well. Other much-loved choirs include songs from the University of Stellenbosch Choir, UP Tuks Camerata Choir, and Voces8, an a cappella octet from England.

Being part of UJ Choir’s 50th anniversary celebrations is a milestone she is excited to share with her fellow choristers. “It is incredible to be a part of something that has brought so much joy to so many people over the last five decades,” Stark described.